Hi, I’m Josh, and on 12th April I’ll be running the Paris Marathon to raise money for The Gap Project, a fantastic charity that supports the local community in Thanet where I grew up.

I loved growing up in Thanet and it will always have a special place in my heart, but according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government it ranks within the top 10% most deprived local authorities in England (source).

This means many local people and families are struggling with the cost of living, housing insecurity and social isolation.

That’s why The Gap Project exists.

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For the past 25 years, The Gap Project has been quietly doing incredible work in Thanet — bridging the gap between need and opportunity for people who need support the most.

What started in a small local church has grown into a vibrant community hub that now welcomes over 1,000 people through its doors every week.

The charity supports families, children, adults with additional needs, the elderly, and those facing homelessness or hardship.

It facilitates a timetable of weekly groups supporting the most vulnerable people within the community.

They also provide practical help, warm meals, a friendly place to belong, volunteering opportunities, and support when life gets tough.

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Every year The Gap Project:

• Provides over 1,400 meals to people who are homeless or insecurely housed

• Offers more than 400 showers and over 200 loads of laundry to people without access to basic facilities

• Delivers around 100 food parcels to families who are struggling

• Hosts a monthly Family Café where around 80 people come together for a warm meal and community

• Makes around 100 home visits each year to support families who need extra help

• Provides meaningful work opportunities for 25 adults with additional needs in their café and community shop

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Behind all these numbers are real people, including families trying to get back on their feet, individuals experiencing homelessness, parents who just need someone to listen, vulnerable adults with additional needs and senior citizens who would otherwise face loneliness.

The Gap Project is powered by donations and volunteers, and as the cost of living continues to rise and grant funding becomes more challenging to obtain, more and more people in Thanet are turning to them for support.

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That’s why I’ve chosen to run the Paris Marathon to raise money for this brilliant charity.

Running 26.2 miles will definitely be a challenge, but it feels small compared to the challenges many people in my hometown face every day.

If this run can help raise money to provide meals, support families, run community groups and keep The Gap’s doors open to those who need it most, then every mile will be worth it.

If you’re able to donate (no matter how big or small) it will make a real difference to people in Thanet.

Thank you so much for your support.